Position: Position: Managing Director, Infrastructure Debt, Americas & APAC
Job Location: Whippany, NJ
Setting: Hybrid
Reports to: Global Head of Investment Grade Private Credit
MetLife Investment Management
Based in Whippany, New Jersey, MetLife Investment Management (MIM) is one of the largest institutional investors and asset managers in the world, with nearly $600 billion in combined managed assets, and has consistently generated superior returns for both policyholders and shareholders. The enterprise has more than 900 dedicated professionals with extensive experience and expertise in all asset classes, with a strength in public and private fixed income and private assets, including real estate. Visit us at www.metlife.com/investments to learn more.
Department: MetLife Investment Management’s (“MIM”) Investment Grade Private Credit Team is responsible for approximately $98 billion in total assets under management as of March 31, 2024 and collectively brings over 100 years of investing experience in this asset class. MIM offers exceptional access to investments across the private credit universe due to its significant scale, long-standing market relationships, and sector expertise. MIM was named a “2023 Best Place to Work in Money Management” by Pensions & Investments. Visit us at www.metlife.com/investments to learn more about MIM.
The Role:
Developing and growing MIM’s private credit platform by leading a U.S.-based team of credit professionals who originate and underwrite new transactions and manage a portfolio of infrastructure and project finance credits for MIM clients.
The role comprises leading and guiding a team of senior and more junior credit analysts that assess new transaction opportunities and who make recommendations regarding amendments or waivers requested by existing portfolio names. New transactions include mainly investment grade as well as below investment grade private placements, in bond or loan format, predominantly across North America, Latin America and Australasia. This entails leading or participating in credit committees for new transactions and assessing recommendations for amendments / waivers.
With a view to expanding the playing field and increasing the number of investment opportunities for MIM to consider, work with the entire team to explore new verticals, new private asset sectors and new geographies.
The role also involves engaging with existing and prospective MIM clients to maintain and grow investment mandates for unaffiliated accounts, representing MIM at conferences and industry events and building strategic relationships with key market participants from both the issuer and the investor community and among intermediaries. Successfully fulfilling this part of the role requires a combination of strong commercial skills and solid credit knowledge, based on a proven track record in private debt markets.
How You’ll Help Us Build a Confident Future (Key Responsibilities):
- Manage a team of seasoned credit professionals specialized in originating and underwriting infrastructure and project finance private placements.
- Provide strategic guidance to the team in terms of deal origination and portfolio monitoring, including setting of annual goals and reviewing employee performance.
- Manage MIM’s global infrastructure business alongside the Head of Infrastructure, EMEA.
- Present MIM’s private capital platform, together with MIM’s Institutional Client Group, to prospective clients and consultants across the globe to support capital raising from third-party clients by providing product and market expert knowledge.
- As required, participate in regular portfolio reviews for existing MIM clients.
- Drive the team to explore new verticals and innovative structures to expand the investable universe of assets for MIM and its clients, thereby increasing allocations and return opportunities while managing credit risk to set parameters based on client demand.
- Establish and maintain relationships, at decision-making levels, with key sponsors and borrowers across the U.S., Latin America and Australasia.
- Establish and maintain relationships with financial intermediaries such as bank agents and (debt) advisors to facilitate deal flow.
- Ensure the team is adequately resourced and fit for purpose to facilitate continued growth of the platform and career progression of team members. Create a strong team spirit and coach, motivate and mentor team members.
- Chair and/or be a member of credit committees, as appropriate, for new transaction opportunities and oversee amendments and waivers across the portfolio.
- Establish strong and constructive working relationships with peers within the Private Placements team in the U.S. and Europe and participate in team leadership meetings.
- Help improve, develop and implement policies and procedures for the wider team.
- Promote MIM in general and its private capital business by participating in industry conferences, seminars and networking events for institutional investors and for issuers.
- Work with senior leadership team and the team overall to develop, refine, and execute on MIM’s investment strategy, working to stay ahead of industry themes and market dynamics.
- In conjunction with Compliance and Legal, ensure the team is following relevant compliance protocols and internal policies.
Key Relationships:
Reports to: Global Head of Investment Grade Private Credit
Key Stakeholders: Internal and external clients, Institutional Client Group, Client Portfolio Management
What You Need to Succeed (Required Qualifications):
Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:
- 15+ years of credit experience including a background of relationship management, deal sourcing, underwriting and diligence of private infrastructure debt and project finance transactions
- Existing, productive relationships with sponsors, issuers and intermediaries
- Strong teamwork-driven attitude and a proven ability to provide leadership to a large and diverse team, in different locations, and to coordinate across broad, interdisciplinary teams
- Experience driving investments and strategy at a large financial institution
- Effective commercial, communication and presentation skills
- Strong knowledge of insurance capital, accounting and investment guidelines is preferred
- BA required and MBA and/or CFA strongly preferred
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefit programs are geared toward health and wellness, financial protection, and retirement savings. In addition to comprehensive health coverage including medical/prescription drug, dental, vision, and no-cost short- and long-term disability benefits also include:
- Retirement plan (cash balance pension) with a minimum monthly contribution regardless of an employee’s pay and 401(k) with employer matching
- Company-paid life insurance and legal services, and discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs
- Expert support for medical second opinions, cancer care navigation, diabetes and hypertension, weight loss/fitness, joint and spine health, caregiving, and more
- Generous paid time off, including a floating cultural heritage day
- Paid volunteer time off and charitable contribution match
- Tuition assistance
- Family benefits including paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance, child and eldercare support, college advising program
Equal Employment Opportunity/Disability/Veterans
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at accommodations@metlife.com. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
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